Ratings

Short travel 29ers are the jack of all trades of the mountain bike world, and this 110mm rear/120mm fork model from Orange has a geometry that should suit most conditions.

A development from the now discontinued Segment 29er model, the Stage 4 is made using Orange's trademark folded 6061-T6 aluminium sheet welded into hollow section 'tubing,' and it shares the same stiff and strong single pivot frame design as the rest of the company's suspension line up. The advantages are, among others, that It reduces the pedal induced bob you get on many suspension designs, meaning you can run the rear suspension fully open to absorb the smallest of bumps.

The Shimano SLX/XT mix groupset is always a good option, with functional and effective kit guaranteed without breaking the bank, while the finish kit is largely Race Face with a smattering of Orange's own brand, Strange. Capable Fox 34 forks and Float rear shock are both well established performers too.

This is a bike that should see you cranking out over the Lakeland passes, coping easily with rocky and undulating terrain that roll under the 29 inch wheels with ease. But with a relatively slack head angle of 67.5 degrees and low slung bottom bracket it will give added confidence for fast and technical ground.